Alright, I need some help! From what I understand there are two different types of lift kits. A suspension lift kit and a chasis lift kit. Suspension replaces everything from springs to shocks and chasis just some how lifts the chasis off the frame. Am I even remotely close? If so what is better of the two if your only doing like a 3" lift kit and what brands are good? Thanks

 

Suspension is by far the best way to go. If your cheap like me, and just want a little liftm either the 2" leveling kit or a body lift will do.

 

skyjacker D25's will give you a level truck and 2.5 inches of lift for 150 bucks + shocks...

 

Definately suspension lift.

Flame away, but I've never been a fan of body lifts.
The leave spaces that need to be covered up above both bumpers and between the body and the frame.
And I've hear tale of them shifting around while off road, or crushing under the weight of stuff in the bed.

Tuff Country has the only packaged 3" suspension lift I know of.
Coil spacers, longer control arms, add-a-leaf in the rear.

It's not much higher than the leveling kits (coil spacer or Skyjacker D25 springs) but does include the control arms, so you can get a little bigger tire under the front than you can with just the leveling kits.


phox

 

Suspension lift!

I've put body lifts on a couple of smaller pickups and I think they are very dangerous. It increases the distance between the frame and chasis with longer bolts that are more susceptible to shear. I might consider a body lift on a small, light rig like a mini-truck, but on a big heavy truck like ours it is not a good thing.

Go with a real suspension lift that adds beefed up bump stops and preferably new contol arms. There are several good brands out there for your truck. A leveling kit only raises the body off the coil spring and does not change the bumpstops; you will not be able to run any bigger tire with just a leveling kit since the truck bottoms out at the same level. I'm running one for aesthetics, but my 35"s fit stock on my 04.

 

Suspension lift all the way... for a '98, Procomp makes a 3" lift but I don't know if it's applicable to a 2500. There are several companies that sell leveling kits(2.5" front coil spring spacer).... I'd recommend new bumpstops and longer shocks if you went that route.

fyi, some of the companies make lifts that are specific for the extra weight of a Cummins.... something to check in to.

 

Suspension is the ONLY way to go. Body lifts are cheap and not made very well. The ride gets better especially with a good quality suspension lift. The cost however is much more. But the results are basically you get what you pay for. See if you can install it yourself, or have a friend do it. It will cut down on costs even more.

 

Say no to body lifts.....

With a suspension lift, you should only consider ones that are made specifically for the weight of the CTD. Anything else is down right dangerous.

My 2 cents worth - as far as the install is concerned, you best know what the heck you are doing to even attempt one. I have read too many horror stories about "in the driveway installs" that still make me cringe. There are people that do it, and succeed, but many don't. I got my lift and install at 4 Wheels parts in Indy. I was amazed at how little the install actually cost. 20,000 miles later and I am still .

Matt

 

As for self-install, a 3" kit isn't all that bad if you're at least mildly mechanically inclined. I installed a 3" on my 1500 and it wasn't bad, lifted for 30,000 miles and then I traded for my CTD. A good set of quality wrenches and sockets. Plenty of strong clamps for the rear spring pack. A spring compressor for the coil spring install(or re-install if the kit has spacers). A good drill with quality bits. From my experience it pays to read the instructions thoroughly and if you don't think you can do the install find a shop that will do it. I was able to use the auto lift at a 'friends' tranny shop.... don't think I would have done it myself with just jack stands. You will, and I repeat, you will need to get an alignment as soon as the lift is complete and tires are back on... sorry for being long-winded....